Sofapaka and Muhoroni Youth reinstated to KPL

Elly Kalekwa, the Sofapaka chairman and Moses Adagala of Muhoroni Youth wanted their 'relegation' reversed. They are back in the top-tier league. (Photo by Shutterspeed)

After a back-and-forth tussle in court, Sofapaka FC and Muhoroni Youth have finally gotten justice and reinstated back to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

On Wednesday, Sofapaka won a case they had filed against Football Kenya Federation (FKF) at the Sports Disputes Tribunal.

The decision from the case applied to the Muhoroni case which was coming up for hearing.

After finding out that Vihiga United and KCB FC were promoted unprocedurally, it naturally fell into place that Sofapaka and Muhoroni would be playing in the top-tier league.

FKF insisted on the Muhoroni case proceeding to hearing since their reasons for relegation were different but the tribunal ruled otherwise.

Both clubs had contested a decision by FKF that condemned them to relegation.

They had not complied with the club licensing requirements and were bound to play in the second-tier National Super League (NSL) this season.

Sofapaka and Muhoroni welcomed the ruling stating they are ready to fight it out in KPL.

“We have reached the conclusion that justice of the case requires that we sustain Sofapaka’s continuing participation in KPL. We accordingly order that Sofapaka be reinstated to KPL for the 2017 season,” the ruling read in part.

“The effect of this decision is to nullify the decision by FKF to promote Vihiga United and KCB from the NSL to KPL for the 2017 season.”

The tribunal overlooked a decision by the federation's Appeals Committee that dismissed Sofapaka’s initial appeal against denial of a license.

In their submission, the federation had insisted that a decision made by the Appeals Committee was final thus the tribunal had no jurisdiction to hear the matter.